Cord take-up



' y 1940. J 1'; HELL-MANN- 2,206,352

CORD TAKE-UP 7 Filed Jan. 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTOR N EYS Jay ZHe/Zmamr Jilly J. 1". HELLMANN 2,206,352

CORD TAKE-UP Filed Jan. 20, 19:9 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS J4 v Z'HeZ/mam? Patented July 2, 1940 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

2 My invention relates to the disposition of cords such as are attached to electrical apparatus, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved take-up device for such cords.

Anobject of my invention is to provide a takeup device of the type described in which a novel reel mechanism is employed for winding up the cord inside a housing in which novel means are employed for facilitating connection of the cord with the reel. The reel is of the multiple type in combination with two sets of freely rotating roll-.

ers arranged in driun-like fashion to provide a drum for each unit. The roller units are assoeiated as a unit mounted on a suitable bearing to minimize resistance, while the roller units operate easily so that the cord may be payed out with relatively little effort. The operating mechanism is enclosed within a housing, which housing may serve as a support for a telephone and the like.

. In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a perspective view of my invention illustrating a telephone of the cradle type mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of my invention;

Figure 3 is a plan View with the cover of the housing removed;

Figure l is a view similar to Figure 3 with the top guide plate of the reel unit removed;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the center plate of the reel unit removed together with other parts for the sake of clearness;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional View;

Figure 8 is a sectional view along the line 88 of Figure 7; I

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the mounting for the spring; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional detail view of one of the openings through which the cord extends for connection with the reel mechanism.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my int ntic-n, I make use of housing H] which includes a base plate 52 and a cover l4 provided with a circular flange l6 fashioned to embrace the right-angular flange l8 on the base plate l2. Flange I3 is spaced from the peripheral face of the base plate sufficiently far to provide a ledge 20 against which the lower endof the flange I6 is pressed. Flange IE is fixedly related to. the base plate through the medium of screws 22. To the flange I6 I connect rings 24 about which I loop straps 26, as at 28. One strap is provided with a buckle so, while the other strap is perforated at 32 for connection with the buckle 30.

V Figure 1 illustrates the manner in which the; tel-;

ephone set 34 is positioned on the housing It and tied thereto through the medium of the straps 26. Thetelephone set 34 includes the usual base 36, hand set or receiver 38 and a cradle structure Mi. The telephone set is provided with the usual cord 5 42 for connection with the outside line, as well as l a cord 44 for connection with the hand set 34.

Referring to Figure 7, base plate 12 is provided with a centrally located annular flange it provided with a wall 48 across its upper end. Flange 10 36 constitutes a support for the reel unit 59 which includes a gathering disc 52 provided with acentrally located annular flange 54 .of such diameter as to fit loosely about the flange fit. Between the flanges 46 and 54 I interpose roller bearings 56 so as to facilitate rotation of the reel unit-about the flange 45 as an axis. Between the carrier disc 52 and a guide plate or ring 58 I mount a series of spools 69 arranged concentrically about the axis of the flange 46 and closely spaced so as to provide a drum-like configuration upon which the cord 44 may be wound, as illustrated in Figure 4. Between the gathering disc 52 and a guide plate or ring 62I mount aseries of spool-like elements 64, which spool-like elements are arranged concentrically about the axis of the flange '46 'inthe same manner as the spoollike elements 60 to provide a drum-like configuration upon which the cord 84 is also Wound, as illustrated in Fig, 5. Figure 8 illustrates each of the spool-like ele- Since all the elements are ments 6!] and 64. identical in construction, the description of one will apply to all. According to Fig. 8, the spool.- like element 60 is bored at 66 for loosely receiving a shaft 68 which constitutes a spacer between the gathering disc 52 and the guide plate 58. Shaft 63 has one end abutting the guide plate 58, as at it, and is provided with a threaded 'bore for threaded connection with a screw 12 extending through an opening in the plate 58 and threaded into the shaft 68. The spool-like element 60 includes a small diameter extension 74 adjacent the guide plate 58 and a similar extension 76 adjacent the gathering disc 52. I

The opposite end of the shaft 68 is provided with a threaded pin 18 which extends through an opening in the gathering'disc 52 and is threaded into one end of the shaft 80 upon which the spoollike element 64 is rotatably mounted. Guide plate 62 is fixedly related to the lower end of the shaft 80 through the medium of a screw 82 which extends through an opening in the guide plate. and is threaded into'. the shaft. Element 5 slot I02 so that half 2 64 is provided with small diameter extensions 84 in the same manner as the element 60.

Fig. 8 illustrates the spool-like element 60 as being provided with a cylindrical part 86 and an inverted conically shaped part 88. The base of the part 88 terminates in a narrow flange 90, while the lower end of the cylindrical part 86 terminates in a relatively wide flange 92. Element 64 is identical in construction with the element 60 with the exception that'it is reversed end for end so that both elements are located with the bases of the conically shaped parts 88 adjacent the plates 58 and 62.

C'over I is provided with a slot 94 acrossits entire top which slot extends downwardly of the- 96 and 98; Slot reach peripheral flange I6, as at 96 has its lower end terminating substantially in the plane of the gathering disc 52, while the slot reach 98 has its lower end terminating substantially in the plane of the guide plate'62. Guide plate 58 'is slotted at I00 so that the cord 44 may be positioned inside the mechanism by passing it downwardly through the slot 94, its reaches 96 and 38 and the slot I00 in the guide plate 58. The guide plate is slotted through on each side so that the cord 44 may be positioned between the spool-like elements 60, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Gathering disc 52 is provided with one the cord 44 inside the mechanism may be lowered into a position between the gathering disc in the guide plate 62 between two "of the spool-like elements 64, as illustrated in Fig.

5. Thus the cord 44 may be convoluted upon the spool-like elements 60 in accordance with Fig. ,4 and upon the spool-like elements 64 in accordance with Fig. 5. g

, Figs. 1 and 6 illustrate two projections I04 and I06 through which the cord 44 may move freely into and out of the housing I0. Fig. illustrates the construction of the projection I06. The lower end of the reach 88 of the slot 94 terminates in a laterally extending slot I08, see Fig. 10, which slot is of such length as to permit the run ofv the cord 44 extending therethrough to take a tangential position with respect to the effective diameter defined by the spool-like elemerits 64. At the same time, the slot length permits the cord ,run to be bent gently so as to make for free and easy movementof the cord through the slot. The cord run extends through an eye 0, which eye is flared outwardly at each end, as at II2 so as to-provide a configuration of gentle curvature to minimize resistance to movement of the'cord. Eye H0 is slotted at H4 for the reception of the cord. After positioning ofthe cord in the eye, the extension I06 is swung against the side of the flange I6 about the axis of its hinge II6 which is anchored to the flange. Thus the flange I6 covers the slot II4.

Fig. 6 illustrates both extensions I04 and I06 as being hinged to the flange. I6 in the same manner and each extension, is provided with a pin II8 for connection with a hook I pivoted at I22 to a bracket I24 fixedly secured to the flange I6.- Thus-both extensions may be effectively latched to the flange, or pivoted there-. from by merely unhooking the hooks I20 from the pins II8. Both extensions are of the same I construction and operate in the same manner.

Figs. 1, 2 and 6 illustrate the extensions as being reversed.

Reel unit 50 is rotated against thetension of a coiled springI26 when the receiver 38 is picked upq'md lifted off the cradle-40. The Spring located inside a spring housing I28 fitting inside the flange 54. This flange is provided with two vertical slots I30 for the reception of lugs I32 projecting outwardly from the peripheral wall of the housing. Each slot I30 is provided with an offset slot I34 into which its respective lug I32 is positioned. One end of the spring I26 is fixedly secured at I36 to the inner face of the peripheral wall of the spring housing I28 and its opposite end is fixedly connected at I38 to a body I40 having a square opening I42 for the reception of the square endI44 of a shaft I46. Body I40 is therefore keyed against relative rotation with respect to the shaft I46 but is rotatably related to the spring housing I28. Fig. 7 illustrates the body I40 as being provided with bearing ends I48 which are rotatably positioned in openings in the top and bottom walls of the spring housing. The bottom wall of the housing lies upon the wall 48 and is supported thereagainst because of the lugs I32 and the slots I34.

, Shaft I46 is rotatably journaled in a bore I50 in the wall 48. The shaft is squared at I52 for insertion in a square opening I54 in a ratchet or spring tensioning plate I56 positioned adjacent the lower face of the wall 48. The plate I56 is held in assembled relation with the square end I52 by means of a pin I58. Fig. 6 illustrates the plate I56 as being notched at I60 for engagement with a pawl I62 pivotally mounted at I64 upon the wall 48. A spring I66 is effective on the pawl for pressing the same into engagement with the notches I60.

It will thus be seen that the spring I28 is fixedly related at one end to the body I38 and that its opposite end is fixedly related to the flange 54 through the medium of the lugs I32 on the spring housing I28. The tension'of the spring I26 is such as to rotate the reel unit 50 in the direction of the arrow I68, see Fig. 4. Such rotation winds up the cord 44 on the drums defined by the spool-like elements 60 and 64. Rotation ofthe, reel unit 50 through the medium of the spring I26 draws the cord 44 inwardly of the housing I0 through both eye extensions I04 and I06. Lifting of the receiver 38 exerts a pull on the cord 44 for rotating the reel unit 50 in the opposite direction, which rotation is accomplished against the tension of the spring I26, so that when the receiver 38 is returned to the cradle 40, the springl26 will rotate the reel unit for taking up the cord. Fig. 10 illustrates the cord 44 as being provided with an abutment I10 arranged to engage the end of the extension I06 to restrain further rotation of the reel unit 50 through the mediiun of the spring I26 when the cord has been taken up in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

The runs of the cord 44 extending through the extensions I04 and I06 are arranged tangentially of the reel unit 56, particularly the two drum units defined by the spool-like elements 6 0 and 64, The eye IIO associated with the extension I06 is located in a horizontal plane common to the. cylindrical parts 86 of the spool-like elements 64, see Fig. '7. The eye in the extension I04 is aligned in the same manner with respect tothe cylindrical parts 86 of the spools 60. The spring I26 is provided with such tension as to permit thercord 44 to be payed out easily when the receiver 38 is lifted. The spool-like elements 60 and 64 are rotatably mounted so as to rotate freely'for compensating any variable convoluted condition-ofthe cord 44 so as to eliminate frictional' resistance. The conically shaped parts 88 associatedwith the spool-like elements 64 are so arranged as to crowd the convoluted oordin the direction of the flanges 92 so as to align the cord with the eye H9.

' Similarly, the conically shaped parts 88 of the spool-like elements 60 crowd the convoluted cord associated with those units in the direction of the flanges 92 of those elements for aligning the cord with the eye in the extension M34. Thus the two drum units are so constructed as to constitute take-up means for the cord in addition to aligning the cord with their respective eyes H8. The diameter of the drums defined by the spool-likeelements 8G and 6-4 are of such diameter as not to necessitate sharp bending of the cord 4d. The runs of the cord extending through the eyelets HG are bent gently and are tangentially arranged with respect to the diameters of their respective drums. Thus the cord will move easily through the eyes H0 in addition to operating in such a manner with respect to the reel unit 50 as to ofier little resistance.

The tension of the spring i262 may be varied through rotation of the ratchet plate I56, To facilitate such rotation, I provide the ratchet plate with two ears H? which constitute grips to facilitate rotation of the plate. Thus rotation of the plate i565 will wind or unwind the spring i26 depending upon the direction of rotation. Pawl IE2 may be manually 'unlatched to permit rotation of the plate are. The pawl is efiec-= tively urged into holding engagement with the notches I56,

The cord 4:3 is easily connected with the reel unit 59 by merely passing the cord first through the slot 9 3 and the runs 96 and 98. The cord is then passed through the slots mil in the guide plate 58 after which half the length of the cord in the housing is lowered through the slot I02. Thus half the length of the cord will be arranged so as to wind upon the drum defined by the spool-like elements 60 and the other half will be arranged to be wound upon the spool-like elements 64 through rotation of the reel unit '50. The two half lengths of the cord are effectively separated for operating connection with their respective drums defined by the spool-like elements 60 and 5d. The slot 94 is covered by the base-of the telephone set, while the telephone set is efiectively connected with the housing through the medium of the straps 26.

1. In a cord take-up adapted to be positioned intermediate the ends of the cord: a support; a reel unit rotatably mounted on said support, said reel unit comprising first, second and third plates; a plurality of rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said first and second plates and arranged to provide a first drum; a plurality of rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said second and third plates and arranged to provide a second drum; said first plate being slotted for the reception of the intermediate portion of the cord for disposing said intermediate portion between predetermined spool-like elements in said first drum; said second plate being slotted to permit a run of said intermediate portion of the cord to be dropped between two spool-like elements of said second drum; and spring means operable on said reel unit for rotating the latter, to wind the cord on one side of said intermediate portion on said first drum and the cord on the other side of said intermediate portion on said second drum; said spring means yielding when a pull is 3 on either side of said'interto permit unwinding rotation of exerted on said cord mediate portion the reel unit. I I

2. In a cord take-up adapted to be positioned intermediate the ends of the cord: a support; a reel unit rotatably mounted on said support, said reel unit comprising first, second and third plates; a plurality of spool-like elements rotatably mounted on said first and second plates and arranged to provide a first drum; a plurality of spool-like elements 'rotatably mounted on said second and third plates and arranged to provide a second drum; said first plate being slotted forthe reception of the intermediate portion'of the cord for disposing" said intermediate portion between diametrically opposed spools in said first drum; said second plate being slotted to permit a run of said intermediate portion of the cord to be dropped between two spool-like elements of said second drum; and spring means operable on said reel unit for rotating the latter, to wind the cord on one side of said intermediate portion on said first drum and the cord on the other side of said intermediate portion on said second drum; said spring means yielding when a pull is exerted on said cord on either side of said intermediate portion to permit unwinding rotation of the reel unit.

3. In a cord take-up adapted to be positioned intermediate the endsof the cord: a support; a reel unit rotatably mounted on said support, said reel unit comprising first, second and third plates; a pluraiity of rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said first and second plates and arranged to provide a first drum; a plurality of rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said second and third plates and arranged to provide a second drum; said first plate being slotted for the reception of the intermediate portion of the cord for disposing said intermediate portion be tween predetermined spool-like elements in said first drum; said second plate being slotted to permit a run of said intermediate portion of the cord to be'dropped between two spool-like elements of said second drum; spring means operable on said reel unit for rotating the latter, to wind the cord on one side of said intermediate portion on said first drum and the cord on the other side'of said intermediate portion on said second drum; said springmeans yielding when a pull is exerted on said cord on either side of said intermediate portion to permit unwinding rotation of the reel unit; a housing enclosing said reel unit and having a cord receiving slot aligned with the slot in said first plate; and cord receiving eyelets carried by said housing for guiding the cord as it is unwound from and onto said drtuns.

4. In a cord take-up adapted to be positioned intermediate the ends ofthe cord: a support; a reel unit rotatably mounted on said support, said reel unit comprising first, second and third plates; a plurality of'rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said first and second plates and arranged to provide a first drum; a plurality of rotatably mounted spooltween predetermined spool-like elements in said first drum; said second plate being slotted to permit a run of said intermediate portion of 75 the cord to be dropped between two spool-like elements of said second drum; spring means operable on said reel unit for rotating the latter, to wind the cord on one side of said intermediate portion on said first drum and the cord on the other side of said intermediate portion on said second drum; said spring means yielding when a pull is exerted on said cord on either side of said intermediate portion to permit unwinding rotation of the reel unit; a housing enclosing said reel unit and having a cord receiving slot aligned with the slot in said first :plate; cord receiving eyelets carried by said housing for guiding the cord as it is unwound from and onto said drums; and a stop element on said cord arranged'to engage one of said eyelets to restrain said spring means fromturning the reel unit in the cord winding direction after a predetermined amount of cord has been taken up by the reel unit.

5. In a cord take-up adapted to be positioned intermediate the ends of the cord: a support; a reel unit rotatably mounted on said support, said reel unit comprising first, second and third plates; a plurality of rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said first and second plates and arranged to provide a first drum; a plurality of rotatably mounted spoollike elements positioned between said second and third plates and arranged to provide a second drum; said first plate being slottedvfor the reception of the intermediate portion of the cord for disposing said intermediate portion between predetermined spool-like elements in said first drum; said second plate being slotted to permit a run of said intermediate portion of the cord to be dropped between two spool-like elements of said second drum; spring -means operable onsaid reel unit for rotating the latter,

; to wind the cord on one side of said intermediate portion on said first drum and the cord on the other side of said intermediate portion on said second drum; said spring means yielding when a pullis exerted on said cord on either side of said intermediate portion to permit unwinding rotation of the reel unit; a housing enclosing said reel unit and having a cord re,- ceiving slot aligned with the slot in said first plate; cord receiving eyelets carried by said housing for guiding the cord as it isunwound from and onto said drums; the spool-like elements in each drum being fashioned to guide the cord moving through said eyelets into alignment therewith.

6. A telephone cord take-up, comprising: a housing adapted to serve as a mount for a telephone set; a reel the housing; said reel unit comprising a first plate, a second plate and a thirdplate; said second plate having a tubular member located centrally thereof; a bearing means between said tubular member and'the bottom of said housing; spool-like elements positioned between said first and second plates to provide a drum; spool-like elements positioned between the second plate and said thirdplate to provide a second drum; means for rotatably mounting the spools on their respectiveplates and for connecting the plates as a unit; said housing and said first plate being provided with slots permitting said cord to be dropped to a position between diametrically opposed spool-like elements in said first-mentioned drum; said second plate being provided with a slot permitting a portion of the cord to be dropped into position between two spool-like elements in said second drum; and spring means operable on said reel unit for rotating the latter in a cord winding direction.

'7. A telephone cord take-up, comprising: a housing adapted to serve as a mount for a telephone set; a reel unit rotatably mounted in the housing; said reel unit comprising a first plate, a second plate and a third plate; said second plate having a tubular member located centrally thereof; a bearing means between said tubular member and the bottom of said housing; spool-like elements positioned between said first and secondsplates to provide a drum; spool-like elements positioned between the second plate and said third plate to provide a second drum; means for rotatably mounting the spools on their respective plates and for connecting the plates as a unit; said housing and said first plate being provided with slots permitting said cord to be dropped to a position between diametrically opposed spool-like elements in said first-mentioned drum; said second plate being provided with a slot permitting a portion of the-cord to be droppedintoposition between two spool-like elements in said second drum; spring means operable on said reel unit for rotating the latter in a cord winding direction; and eyelets mounted on said housing for guiding the cord wound upon and unwound from said drums.

JAY T.

unit rotatably mounted in 

